A Christian man who spent the last six years on death row in Pakistan after being convicted of blasphemy charges has been acquitted by the High Court.
Sawan Masih, a 40-year-old Catholic father of three, was convicted and given the death sentence in March, 2014, after a Muslim man accused him of blaspheming against Islam’s prophet. The accusation led to rioting which reportedly saw more than 150 homes, shops and church buildings burned down in Lahore’s Christian majority Joseph Colony in March, 2013.
A two-member bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday acquitted Masih of all charges on Monday. Reasons for the acquittal will reportedly be issued at a later date.
Masih’s attorney, Tahir Bashir, told Morning Star News, that he was happy with the result.
“Hearing blasphemy cases is not an easy job, as there is a lot of pressure on the judges. I’m glad that the bench admitted our arguments on the basis of facts and set a good precedent in a country where religious sentiments and emotions often influence judgments.”
